The Humility of Theology
I spend nearly all my time studying theology. If you were to step into my office, you’d see degrees on the wall, shelves crammed beyond capacity with books, and lessons and courses I’m constantly preparing. Some of you might step in and think, This guy probably knows theology. He probably has it figured out. Honestly, sometimes even I think I do.
But every once in a while, something stops me in my tracks and reminds me of how small I really am.
“Just an Armchair Theologian”
Earlier this morning, I received a message from someone that began, “I’m just an armchair theologian, but…” That’s all I saw. I haven’t even read the rest of their message yet, but that phrase, “Armchair Theologian,” caused my thoughts to shift. Strangely, it comforted me. It got me thinking—and realizing—that I’m just an armchair theologian too.
I’ve never been particularly brilliant. That’s not me trying to sound humble—it’s just the truth. But God has given me an incredible passion for theology. I love digging into it, wrestling with questions, and introducing people to the likes of Polycarp, Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin, to name a few. It feels like finding honey, rushing to share it with others, only to lose so much along the way because there’s simply more than I can carry.
And yet, no matter how much I study or how deeply I immerse myself in the works of these great men, I’m constantly reminded of how far above me they are.
Compared to God
What humbles me most is the realization that even their brilliance pales in comparison to God. When I read the works of the post-Reformers or dive into Thomas Aquinas, I’m amazed by their intellect and their ability to think with such depth and precision. But then, I step back and remember: even they only knew a sliver of the truth.
Compared to God, their knowledge—and mine—is infinitesimal.
It all comes down to what we’re comparing ourselves to. By human standards, these men were giants. But compared to the infinite wisdom of God, even the greatest theologians, scientists, engineers, or any expert in their field are as children. We’re all just scratching the surface, barely beginning to understand anything.
Our Infinitesimal Knowledge
That’s the point that came to mind when I got that message: None of us are truly that smart. Whether we call ourselves theologians, scientists, mechanics, or anything else, our knowledge is so small when held up to the vastness of what’s really out there.
And that’s not only okay—it’s extraordinarily awesome. It’s a reminder of how great God is and how humbling it is to be in His presence. I can’t help but feel for those who don’t even believe in His presence and think they’re something special.
Take Heart: We’re All Armchair Theologians
So take heart, whoever wrote that message. We’re all only armchair theologians, no matter what field we’re in. And while that might feel small, it’s also freeing.
It’s not about mastering everything—it’s about marveling at the One who knows it all. And what’s even more incredible is that we will sit in this armchair for all eternity, with all eternity still ahead of us, messy offices and all, discovering the infinite depths of God’s greatness.
